Isotopes win to close out series
The Albuquerque Isotopes closed out their five-game road trip with a victory Thursday night, just in time to head home for tonight’s contest against Iowa.
The Isotopes scored four runs in the top of the eighth Thursday to put away a tight contest, topping the Oklahoma City RedHawks 8-2 at Oklahoma City.
The Isotopes will face the Iowa Cubs tonight in Albuquerque to open an eight-game homestand. Tonight’s game is set for 7:05 p.m.
Albuquerque, which had been swinging hot bats until its last three games at Oklahoma City, all losses, got its offense going again, pounding out 15 hits off four different pitchers.
Lead-off hitter Eugenio Velez set the table well, going 3-for-6 and scoring a pair of runs. Ivan De Jesus and Jay Gibbons, hitting right behind Velez, combined for four RBI, with Gibbons roping a triple in the eighth.
Gibbons’ triple, which drove in De Jesus, was one of three extra-base hits in the inning for the Isotopes. De Jesus and AJ Ellis both had doubles in the inning off RedHawks pitcher Pat Urckfitz.
Albuquerque currently holds a 1-game lead over Round Rock in the PCL American Southern standings, thanks in large part to a 10-win stretch over 12 games prior to Albuquerque dropping three straight at Oklahoma City before Thursday’s win.
Thanks in part to that win streak, Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy was named the PCL All-Star manager.
The PCL will take on the International League for the All-Star Game July 13 in Salt Lake City.